Major cities of Korea in the Middle Ages had some other names. For example, Pyongyang had such names as Ryugyong, Wanggomsong and Jangan in addition to Sogyong, and Kaesong was called Hwangdo, Songak and Songdo besides Kaegyong.
Ryugyong, one of the other names of Pyongyang, means the capital with many willow trees. And Hwangdo of Kaesong signifies the capital of the emperor, which the first king of Koryo (918–1392) named as he founded the first unified state in Korean history by succeeding the powerful state of Koguryo (277 BC–AD 668) and assumed the title of emperor. And its other names Songak and Songdo are derived from Mt Songak noted for pine trees. Besides, Uiju in North Phyongan Province also had several other names of which Ryongman was most commonly used.
Pyongyang, Kaesong and Uiju were the three major commercial cities of Korea in the late Middle Ages, and the large traders of Pyongyang were called Ryusang (traders of Ryugyong), those of Kaesong, Songsang (traders of Songdo), and those of Uiju, Mansang (traders of Ryongman).
More From Naenara (En)
Agricultural workers of the Songjuk Industrial Crop Farm under the North Hwanghae Provincial Rural Economy Committee and the
January 04, 2026
Agricultural workers of the Songjuk Industrial Crop Farm under the North Hwanghae Provincial Rural Economy Committee and the
Remarkable progress has been made in increasing the proportion of mechanization in farm work on a yearly basis in the DPRK. In
January 04, 2026
Remarkable progress has been made in increasing the proportion of mechanization in farm work on a yearly basis in the DPRK. In
Laughter and songs of the blessed younger generations growing up spiritedly and cheerfully under the care of the motherly
January 03, 2026
Laughter and songs of the blessed younger generations growing up spiritedly and cheerfully under the care of the motherly
On the occasion of the significant New Year 2026, all the people across the DPRK pay high tribute to President Kim Il Sung and
January 03, 2026
On the occasion of the significant New Year 2026, all the people across the DPRK pay high tribute to President Kim Il Sung and
New houses were built at the Choun Farm in Hamhung City and the Ssangbong Farm in Hoesang District, South Hamgyong Province, when
January 03, 2026
New houses were built at the Choun Farm in Hamhung City and the Ssangbong Farm in Hoesang District, South Hamgyong Province, when
All the people across the DPRK significantly greeted the hopeful New Year 2026. On the morning of New Year’s Day, an endless
January 03, 2026
All the people across the DPRK significantly greeted the hopeful New Year 2026. On the morning of New Year’s Day, an endless
The State Hydro-meteorological Administration has developed an AI-based integrated weather forecasting system. The system analyses
January 03, 2026
The State Hydro-meteorological Administration has developed an AI-based integrated weather forecasting system. The system analyses
Youth and students had a gala evening at Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang on the evening of December 31, 2025 on the occasion of
January 02, 2026
Youth and students had a gala evening at Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang on the evening of December 31, 2025 on the occasion of
The Cholryong Tile Factory and the Wonsan Building-materials Factory have been built in Kangwon Province of the DPRK. The
January 02, 2026
The Cholryong Tile Factory and the Wonsan Building-materials Factory have been built in Kangwon Province of the DPRK. The
The Togam Farm of the Kaesong Municipal Rural Economic Committee in the DPRK has been renovated under the far-reaching plan of the
January 02, 2026
The Togam Farm of the Kaesong Municipal Rural Economic Committee in the DPRK has been renovated under the far-reaching plan of the
Modern hospitals, built in Kangdong County of Pyongyang Municipality and Kusong City of North Phyongan Province under the Workers'
January 02, 2026
Modern hospitals, built in Kangdong County of Pyongyang Municipality and Kusong City of North Phyongan Province under the Workers'
The hopeful New Year 2026 has come, encouraging all the people of the DPRK to turn out in the vigorous advance towards a new great
January 02, 2026
The hopeful New Year 2026 has come, encouraging all the people of the DPRK to turn out in the vigorous advance towards a new great
Modern houses have sprung up at Kujang and Muan farms in Tokchon City and the Sampha Farm in Sinyang County, South Phyongan
January 02, 2026
Modern houses have sprung up at Kujang and Muan farms in Tokchon City and the Sampha Farm in Sinyang County, South Phyongan
The sci-tech sector has made notable achievements conducive to the economic development of the country and the improvement of the
January 02, 2026
The sci-tech sector has made notable achievements conducive to the economic development of the country and the improvement of the
The Autumn Sports Contest of Aged People was held at the Taekwon-Do Palace in the capital city of Pyongyang in October 2025. What
January 02, 2026
The Autumn Sports Contest of Aged People was held at the Taekwon-Do Palace in the capital city of Pyongyang in October 2025. What
The New Year 2026 has dawned. The Editorial Board extends warm greetings to you who have got familiar with our website. The
January 01, 2026
The New Year 2026 has dawned. The Editorial Board extends warm greetings to you who have got familiar with our website. The
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un sent a congratulatory message to the officers and soldiers of the overseas operations units on D
January 01, 2026
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un sent a congratulatory message to the officers and soldiers of the overseas operations units on D
Kim Jong Un , general secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People’s
January 01, 2026
Kim Jong Un , general secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People’s
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un sent a congratulatory message to Ho Jong Man, chairman of the Central Standing Committee of the
January 01, 2026
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un sent a congratulatory message to Ho Jong Man, chairman of the Central Standing Committee of the
A dance party of women’s union officials and members was held at the plaza of the Arch of Triumph in Pyongyang on December 30 to c
January 01, 2026
A dance party of women’s union officials and members was held at the plaza of the Arch of Triumph in Pyongyang on December 30 to c
More Articles